Hello Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday ! What a blessing to see so many of you participating in the life of the church! From leading classes for all ages in discipleship, to playing and leading music, running the soundboard, working in the nursery, changing the front sign, and greeting and ushering, everyone has a place in God’s Kingdom. Have you discovered your place? If you need help discovering your gifts and finding a place of service just ask! I’ll be glad to help you discover the joy of serving!
God’s message Sunday came from Mark 1:14-20 and was titled, “The Kingdom Way of Life.” While many are interested in a variety of activities (jeeps, farming, and music for example), Jesus has invited all of us to seek and live a Kingdom Way of Life. Jesus said, “The time has come,’ he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15).
In declaring the time has come, Jesus has announced the long wait for the Messiah is over! Isaiah’s prophecy is being fulfilled in their midst! Saying, The kingdom of God is near” Jesus evoked all sorts of joyful and fearful expectations that the hated Roman Empire would be soon overthrown and God’s kingdom would be restored.
But Jesus had a much more radical plan for restoring God’s kingdom: repentance, belief, and following Him. In fact, Jesus didn’t ask the Jews to take up arms and fight Romans, but to repent (a radical change of heart, mind, and action), believe, and follow Him while still surrounded by Roman soldiers, Herod Antipas, and the oppressive Roman taxation system.
To repent and believe the good news meant to turn, believe, and follow Jesus even when their feelings and intellect told them differently. The kingdom of God had become a reality within their present world! To fishermen, Jesus called them to leave their nets, boats, and family (symbolizing their security and comfort) and follow and trust Him (vv. 16-20).
Want to change your life and your world this year? Stop waiting! “The time has come” “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). Jesus made it clear. Even when you’re surrounded by an occupation force or find yourself in jail, foreclosure, a bad job, hooked on drugs, or in a bad relationship, the time has come, the kingdom is near, repent and believe in Jesus! And then, let Jesus reprioritize your life!
What is keeping you from leaving your place of comfort and security to repent, believe, and follow Jesus? Fear? Stuff? Relationships? Jesus declared, The time has come; the kingdom is near; repent and believe the good news and then leave your nets and follow Him! My prayer is that you will all reorder your life as Jesus leads and follow Him! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
2015 GIVING ENVELOPES ARE FOR EVERYONE!
Someone recently asked me if you needed to be a member to receive a box of giving envelopes? The answer is a hearty no! Everyone is encouraged to ask Anna or Janie for a box of giving envelopes so they can give regularly and receive credit on their giving statement for their faithfulness! I encourage everyone to get a box and give faithfully!
2014 GIVING STATEMENTS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED!
Anna B. finished the giving statements and they were handed out over the last 2 weeks. The remaining statements were mailed today. If you have not received your statement by the end of this week, please contact Anna atannagirl2006@sbcglobal.net or call her!
YABEEZ NASEEM SAYS THANK YOU FOR GIVING!
We received a letter from Yabeez Naseem (along with a crayon drawing of an orange) from our sponsored child in Pakistan. He writes (translated to English of course)
“Dear Sponsor – I am thankful from the deepest of my heart that you are helping me in my study. I have learned many good things. I like to play hide and seek. I want to be a doctor after study.”
Bless you for your faithful giving! Our local NMI sponsors Yabeez out of the ‘loose change offering’ we receive each month. Sponsoring Yabeez only costs us $25 per month as a church, but we can see it is already making a big difference! Bless you!
COMPASSIONATE MINISTRY - CRISIS CARE KITS - THROUGH FEB 22!
Get your toothbrushes, wash clothes and beany babies ready! Our Nazarene Missions International Council is asking us to collect items for Crisis Care Kits (CCK)! CCK is a cooperative effort between our global missions and Nazarene compassionate ministries to collect and send basic toiletries to those experiencing a ‘crisis’ around the world. You can purchase items or kits or donate money and we’ll shop for you! The ‘overflow’ will be donated to North End Community Ministry. Bless you for showing God’s love!
Here is the shopping list to make 1 Crisis Care Kit:
· 1 Shampoo (12 to 18 oz.)
· 2 Bars of Soap (Bath size or larger)
· 1 Toothpaste (4.0 to 6.4 oz.)
· 3 Toothbrushes (in original packaging)
· 1 Box of Bandaids (30 or more)
· 1 Fingernail clippers
· 1 Sturdy hair comb
· 2 Hand towels
· 4 Pocket sized pkgs. of Kleenex (tissue)
· 1 Beanie Baby sized stuffed toy
Each Crisis Care Kit (CCK) should contain only the items/quantities listed. Place all items into a 2 gallon zip-lock bag (or bring them to church and we’ll do it). Remember! You don’t have to buy a ‘whole kit’ just bring what you can and we’ll put them together!
THE WINDOWS HAVE COME! THE WINDOWS HAVE COME!
Because of a generous financial gift from Phyllis Plath, the church board approved the replacement of the old leaky, drafty, windows in the parsonage. Not only are making our ‘home’ warmer, more energy efficient and easier to take care of and clean, they are simply beautiful! We praise God for your faithfulness, Phyllis! God is good!
TEAM DAY 2014 – SATURDAY, MAR. 08 (EARLY REG DEADLINE FEB. 02)
All three Michigan Districts are joining again for one big day of inspiration, information and training at Perry High and Middle Schools On Mar. 08 between 8:00am–3:50pm. There are workshops on General Leadership, Worship and Technology, Missions, Discipleship, and Children’s and Youth Ministries.The cost is $25 if you give your registration to Anna before Feb. 08th and $35 until Feb. 22nd (no late reg. is accepted). Need more info? See Pastor Dan, grab a brochure, or check out this link! http://www.minaz.org/files/858/File/TD15-Brochure.pdf
Note: Because Team Day organizers have requested one registration per church, please coordinate your registration through Pastor Dan and Anna Boeve! Thanks!
GUIDELINES FOR PRAYER REQUESTS
So, you read our prayer requests every week and wonder how you add someone to the list. Or maybe, you requested prayer and then discovered a few weeks later your prayer request disappeared and wondered what gives? Well, to keep our prayer lists current, we only place requests in the newsletter and bulletin if you’ve put them on the ‘tear-off’ tab in the Sunday program or contacted Pastor Dan and then they are removed after 3 weeks without an update. So, keep filling out the tear off tabs and keep us informed!
WED. NIGHT BIBLE STUDY (AND ICE CREAM) AT 6:30PM
Using “Faith Connections,” a Bible based study centered on Wesleyan holiness, we sing, pray, and then let our souls drink deeply in the Word! (and stay for ice cream!) Looking for a New Year’s faith builder? Well, come check out Wed. night! You’ll be glad you did!
TURN AND DON’T GIVE SOMEONE THE FLU!
Remember to use hand sanitizer and ‘fist bump’ instead of hugs! It’s a fun, easy, and safe way to say hello! If you want to know how more, see Jesse C. or Jenn S!
WILL YOU HELP WITH A MIDDLE EAST GARAGE SALE?
With all of the problems in the Middle East, it’s easy to overlook the needs of the kids living there. While we can’t stop the violence, we can help these kids receive a quality education by DONATING quality new and used items to be sold in a spring garage sale. We hope to raise $250 to help our Districtraise $20,000 to support 4 Nazarene Schools operating in the Middle East who are shining stars in the midst of turmoil and conflict.
Bring your clean, gently used items (priced if possible) to church and place them on the table outside the classroom at the far end of the fellowship hall. If you would like a ‘tax receipt’ for your donation, see our Church Treasurer. Any questions? See Pastor Dan!
NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS FEB. 19th AT 11:30AM
Finish off your Valentines Candy and come join us for our next Third Thursday lunch at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine (behind Target) at 11:30am. You did remember Valentines Day, right? Perhaps this year you could remember Valentines Day with one of our shut ins or widows? Regardless, look for the coupon and come! See Tracy or Linda with ?’s
NEXT MISSIONARY GATHERING IS SUN., FEB. 21st AT 4PM
Our next missionary gathering is Sun., Feb. 21st at 4pm. Come enjoy a brief study to learn what our missionaries are doing, how we can join them with our prayers, gifts of financial support, and enjoy snacks and laughter together. It’s really a lot of fun and you might just learn how to be a missionary, here! Since we show a brief video Jane always makes popcorn for us! So bring a snack to pass and join us! You’ll be glad you did!
DO WE HAVE YOUR BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY, AND EMAIL INFO?
As you have probably noticed, we put our church family’s birthdays and anniversaries in our weekly program. Do we have yours? If you’d like to be included, simply add your info to the ‘tear off tab’ and drop it in the offering plate or email Pastor Dan! Thanks!
UPCOMING EVENTS
til Feb. 22 Crisis Care Kits
Jan. 30-31 Encounter Weekend at Clyde Park Church
Feb. 08 Northeast Community Potluck (after the worship service)
Feb. 18 Ash Wednesday – Lent begins
Mar. 07 Tri-District Team Day in Perry, MI
Mar. 29 Palm Sunday
Apr. 05 Easter Sunday
No comments:
Post a Comment